6 DIY home improvement mistakes to avoid

October 26th, 2016 | Higgins Group Real Estate

Do-it-yourself projects are fun to do and can help increase your home’s value. Unfortunately, many professional home inspectors have identified that poorly constructed renovation projects are often the source of safety issues and other risk factors.

If you’re thinking about working on the next DIY project for your home, here are 6 common mistakes to avoid:

Incorrectly installed garage doors

Incorrectly installed garage doors can turn out to be a huge safety threat. Misaligned safety sensors can result to a poor connection, causing them to malfunction. This can cause the safety cables in the garage door to break, which could send the entire thing crashing down to the ground.

Removing walls

When removing walls to create an open floor plan, be sure not to overlook structural issues. Make sure that the wall you’re removing isn’t load-bearing, as getting rid of these will cause your roof or ceilings to sag or collapse.

Plumbing

When installing a new sink, be sure to select the right pipes – failure to do so, and you’ll end up with costly water damage. Many homeowners make the mistake of using flexible, “accordion-type” pipes for the drain, instead of smooth ones without ridges, which are helpful in preventing clogs and waste buildup.

Poorly constructed wood decks

Wooden decks that are incorrectly attached to a house or are not supported properly can collapse. In addition, fasteners used to attach the decks can eventually corrode, causing huge problems. Detecting issues in decks can be difficult, and many homeowners are unaware that these problems even exist.

Faulty wiring

Faulty wiring in a home poses a fire hazard. Many owners often make the mistake of adding two wires to a single circuit breaker, which can cause problems. Using wires that are too small for the breaker is another mistake you should avoid.

Disconnected or poorly placed smoke detectors

Smoke alarms should be installed within 15 feet of the primary entrance of each of the home’s rooms. Many owners also disconnect their smoke detectors while they’re cooking, which can be a big safety concern.